Orientation

Keep Driving.  Don't think.  Just drive.  The car heat was blasting in an attempt for additional distraction.  I noticed all the papers to read and research on the passenger seat, the new hole in my jeans, and mentally started my to-do cleaning list for when I stepped through the door.  My cell phone rang.  It's Dr. Srodes.  "Hello, Nicole, how are you?"  He is scared to talk to me.  "I've been better, thanks for asking.  I got your test results back and I need you o sit down."  NO!  I slowly pulled in the dark garage and turned off the engine.  "You have a high-grade cancer called muco epidermal . . . . My body froze.  My mind went completely balnk and I was done.  Done trying to stay positive and done trying to stay in the present.  My mind reeled as I thought of the people I would leave.  Tears started trickling down my face and some how I ended up in my bed in Devin's arms.  A few more questions were stammered out in the phone conversation as I watched Devin, my rock, loose his smile and have that complete dread wash over his body too.  I hung up the phone and nothing was said.  We just laid there silently praying and holding on to the present and each other, desperately hoping the future never comes.

This week, sadly.  I was reminded that God gives and he takes away.  But, no matter what . . . it is his will.  I re-lived this moment for the one-hundredth time and realized I had forgotten a lot.  I never want to forget how much that moment changed my life for the better and hope to be able to read this to my kids.  So now it is down in the book as a reminder that once again, life is short and there is nothing we can't achieve mentally and physically when leaning on God.  We love and are praying for our friends.

We did have a fun week this week.  I think Brynlee is getting a little better around visitors and strangers! Devin's cousin Janelle, her husband Thomas and Devin's uncle Shawn came for orientation.  It is going to be so fun to have them so close!  I'm so excited but I do not envy their position.  Man, was it hard getting a house in a week!  All that stress!

Devin prides himself in at least the top 3 for the water balloon throwing contest.  Winner gets the beer cups in the middle?!  Kidding.

We went to the annual McKeesport Branch Memorial BBQ!  And Amber won the super soaker fight this year!  Brynlee also ruiner her clothes.  She is cuter without them anyway!